The Benefits of Acupuncture and Cupping Therapy

You’ve probably seen photos online of people with circular, red marks on their backs — particularly on celebrities and professional athletes — and wondered what that’s all about. Those marks are typically from cupping therapy. This is a modality that has been employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It is one of many methods your acupuncturist may use in your personalized treatment plan. Acupuncture and cupping therapy can provide relief for a variety of symptoms. Below, you’ll find more information about what cupping therapy is, what it can treat, and why your acupuncturist may recommend it.

Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses very thin needles inserted into your skin to stimulate and regulate the flow of your vital energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”). Imbalance and stagnation of Qi manifest in the physical symptoms of illness and disease. These dysregulations of energy can be treated through applied stimulation of acupoints along natural pathways in your body called meridians.

Cupping, or myofascial decompression, is a technique that involves placing glass, bamboo, or silicone cups on the skin as suction devices, and it is one of the best deep tissue therapies available. The treatment is similar to an inverse massage because instead of applying pressure to your muscles, it uses pressure to gently pull them upwards. Cupping is used to mobilize the flow of blood and Qi, promote healing for a variety of ailments, reduce pain, and improve general wellbeing.

As with any modality in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ultimate goal of cupping therapy is to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. To that end, cupping creates suction over the treated area, which gently expands and opens tiny blood vessels in your skin. This is what causes the red marks that appear after treatment. Your body will then replenish the treated area with healthier blood flow, which will activate healing on a cellular level. 

What to expect during your appointment 

Cupping therapy is usually done on the back, chest, abdomen, buttocks, or legs. Cosmetic cupping will employ smaller cups on the face. First oil will be applied to your skin to make it easier for the silicone cups to find suction. If your practitioner is using glass cups, they will heat the cups before placing them on your oiled skin. The difference in temperature between the glass and your skin will create suction.

There are several different methods of cupping that your acupuncturist may employ: 

• Dry cupping is a suction-only method that keeps the cups stationary on your skin. 
• Wet cupping is a methos that involves both suction and controlled medical bleeding to promote greater blood flow to the treated areas. 
• Moving cupping involves moving the cups around on oiled skin. 
• Flash cupping uses quick, repeated suction and release of the cups on your skin. 

(For more about what to expect during an acupuncture, check out our guide here.)

Like acupuncture, cupping therapy can effectively treat and relieve symptoms of a variety of health conditions. Originally used to treat many respiratory conditions, the therapy is also shown to aid in musculoskeletal health, and to improve blood circulation.

Acne and other skin conditions

Cupping therapy treats skin conditions by breaking up congestion in the tissue, as well as improving the flow of blood, lymph, and Qi. This method also removes heat and stagnation that could be the root of your skin trouble. Wet cupping has anti-inflammatory properties that can help sooth irritation and reduce swelling.

Respiratory conditions

Cupping therapy has long been used to treat respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic cough, pleurisy, and bronchial congestion. The therapy helps stimulate your immune system to focus on your lungs, and the suction can help break up any phlegm and mucus accumulated in your lungs.

Neck and back pain

Cupping therapy has become popular among professional athletes because it is effective at relieving tight and sore muscles. For those who suffer from chronic, non-specific neck or back pain, cupping provides effective and long-lasting relief without the need for pain killers. The therapy can also relax tight muscles in your jaw, shoulders, arms, and legs.

Migraines

For migraine sufferers, cupping therapy releases tight muscles in your neck, forehead, and cheeks, while improving blood flow to those areas. This mitigates factors that trigger migraines, providing relief of symptoms and prevents future migraines.

High cholesterol and blood pressure

Cupping therapy has proven beneficial for those with high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The therapy improves circulation through your whole body, which in turn prevents blockages and clotting associated with high cholesterol. Likewise, the therapy can help thin your blood to reduce your blood pressure.

Arthritis

While cupping therapy doesn’t directly treat arthritis, it is still an effective method for pain management. Muscular pain is common among arthritis patients as a result of holding awkward or unnatural positions to protect tender joints. Cupping provides a non-invasive and medication free way to relieve muscular pain.

Immune function

If you find your immune system is a bit sluggish, cupping therapy can help. Cupping does two things. First, it stimulates the flow of red blood cells, which are essential to immune system functions. Second, it creates temporary inflammation at the treatment site, which shifts your immune system into high gear to reduce that inflammation.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of cupping and acupuncture, book an appointment with Maisy today!